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Catherine Gilbert Murdock

キャサリン・ギルバート・マーダック

Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1966 （Charleston, South Carolina, USA）
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
Litchfield, Connecticut (raised) → Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (residence)

Career

Occupations
Author, Children's book author, Young adult novelist
Active Years
2006-

Education

Bryn Mawr College
Growth and Structure of Cities
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Period: 1984–1988
Year of Graduation: 1988
Country: United States
University of Pennsylvania
American Civilization
Degree: Ph.D.
Period: 1992–1998
Year of Graduation: 1998
Country: United States
Doctoral dissertation later published as a book

Awards

Newbery Honor
2019
Work: The Book of Boy
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (American Library Association)
Result: 受賞（オナー）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Dairy Queen

2006 Young adult novel

A coming-of-age story set in rural Wisconsin about a teenage girl finding herself through sports and family relationships.

Coming-of-ageFamilySports

The Off Season

2007 Young adult novel

Sequel to Dairy Queen, continuing to explore characters' relationships and personal growth.

FriendshipFamilyComing-of-age

Front and Center

2009 Young adult novel

Concluding work of the series focusing on sports and self-establishment.

Self-identityChallenge

Heaven Is Paved with Oreos

2013 Young adult / novella

A spinoff set in the same world as the Dairy Queen series, featuring some of the same characters.

CommunityEveryday humor

Princess Ben

2008 Middle-grade fantasy

A middle-grade fantasy incorporating magic and adventure; the protagonist Ben learns about honesty and responsibility.

ResponsibilitySelf-discoveryMagic

Wisdom's Kiss

2011 Middle-grade adventure fantasy

A thrilling and romantic middle-grade adventure incorporating villainy and a cat.

AdventureFriendshipCourage

The Book of Boy

2018 Middle-grade historical fiction

An adventure set in the Middle Ages following a small boy on a pilgrimage, exploring courage and friendship.

HistoryJourneyFriendship

Da Vinci's Cat

2021 Children's literature

Summary not available.

Domesticating Drink: Women, Men and Alcohol in Prohibition America

1998 Non-fiction / academic

A scholarly study based on her dissertation examining gender and alcohol consumption during Prohibition in America.

HistoryGenderAlcohol policy

Bibliography

  • Domesticating Drink: Women, Men and Alcohol in Prohibition America (1998)
  • Dairy Queen (2006)
  • The Off Season (2007)
  • Princess Ben (2008)
  • Front and Center (2009)
  • Wisdom's Kiss (2011)
  • Heaven Is Paved with Oreos (2013)
  • The Book of Boy (2018)
  • Da Vinci's Cat (2021)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Accessible, humorous narrationApproachable style for children and young adultsCareful, research-based description in nonfiction
Recurring Motifs
Growth and self-discoveryFamily and community bondsJourneys and challenges

Legacy

An acclaimed author in children's and young adult literature. Gained critical recognition with The Book of Boy (2018), which received a Newbery Honor, and is noted for work spanning both scholarly nonfiction and imaginative fiction.

In Popular Culture

  • Appeared in and served as program advisor for the PBS documentary 'Prohibition'

Trivia

  • Her sister is novelist Elizabeth Gilbert.
  • Grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Litchfield, Connecticut.
  • Her first published book was based on her doctoral dissertation; she later became known for children's and YA fiction.
  • The Book of Boy was named a Newbery Honor book.